New Caney Fire Department offering free fire school

Published 11:05 am, Thursday, February 19, 2015

The New Caney Fire Department is currently looking for participants for the upcoming Citizens Fire Academy.

The New Caney Fire Department is currently looking for participants for the upcoming Citizens Fire Academy.

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New Caney Fire Department offering free fire school

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Courage and honor are among the many attributes carried by firefighters into each burning structure they enter. Members of the New Caney Fire Department are looking for even more courageous and honorable participants to be a part of the “brotherhood” of firefighters.

The Citizens Fire Academy, hosted by the New Caney Fire Department, will begin on March 3 and be held through May 12.

A graduation ceremony will mark the culmination of the experience on May 12. Throughout the course of the academy, participants will get the chance to see the everyday bravery of fire department members first-hand, while also receiving insight into the inner workings of the department.

“They will learn the how, what and why of training to become a firefighter and maintain certification,” said Fire Chief Jeff Taylor. “Experience a normal day in the life of a firefighter at the station -- training, duties and calls.”

The 10-week long program is free to the public and each student will gain extensive information regarding the fire department.

Upon completion of the course, participants will also receive a CPR card and learn how the Jaws of Life are used during the life-saving vehicle extrication process. Participants will experience live burn drills on the last day of class before graduation.

“We will light a fire, pull the hose, hook up to the hydrant and allow students to experience an emergency fire environment,” said Taylor.

He went on to explain that each class will be trained in the process of putting on and removing gear, as well as putting on air packs and the correct procedure for pulling the fire hose.

“Every aspect of the firefighter’s life, they will learn and experience,” said Taylor. “I am hopeful that this first group will form an alumni graduate group that will morph into a Citizens Emergency Response Team capable of supporting the fire department in the event of a tornado, flood or similar event.”

The Citizens Fire Academy will begin on March 3, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and will continue every Tuesday night through May 12. The class is limited to the first 20 participants. Every applicant must be medically cleared to participate in all activities and each applicant will be reviewed.

“This is not a recruit class, but an opportunity for community citizens to learn more about firefighting, the communication center where 911 calls are processed, state and federal regulations and how the department is funded locally,” said Taylor.

Participants must also be 18 years of age or older, due to the potentially dangerous nature of the job. For more information on the Citizens Fire Academy, contact New Caney Fire Department Captain Lonnie Cantwell at 281-689-3112, or email lcantwell@ncfd15.com.